Isolation and characterisation of an anther-specific promoter (cofs) in cotton

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an anther-specific cotton gene (CoFS), and active promoter fragments thereof. These promoters show strong anther-specific activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of plant molecular biology. In particular, the invention pertains to cotton promoters and their uses in creating transgenic plants, and more specifically to cotton anther-specific promoters.

[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art.

[0004] Cotton is the most extensively used natural fiber in the textile industry. Annual production of cotton worldwide is over 100 million bales valued at 45 billion U.S. dollars. Although significant improvements have been made in quality and yield by means of classical breeding in the past decades, the potential for further improving the properties of cotton through classical breeding is limited due to requirements for species compatibility and available traits. Genetic engineering provides novel approaches for further improving cotton by introducing genes to create new germplasms with highly desirable characteristics, for example, insect pest resistance.

[0005] The anther is the male reproductive organ in flowering plants. Anther development can be divided into two general phases. During phase 1, most of specialized cells and tissues differentiate, microspore mother cells undergo meiosis and tetrads of microspores are formed. During phase 2, microspores are released from tetrads followed by pollen grain maturation, tissue degeneration, dehiscence and pollen release. Genes specifically expressed during anther and pollen development have been studied in a few plant species. Allen and Lonsdale, Plant J. 3:261-271, 1993; Bird, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 11:651-662, 1988; Brown and Crouch, Plant Cell 2:263-274, 1990; Grierson et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 14:8595-8603, 1986; Hanson, et al., Plant Cell 1:173-179, 1989; Ursin et al., Plant Cell 1:727-736, 1989; John and Petersen, Plant Mol. Biol. 26(6):1989-1993, 1994; Atanassov et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 38:1169-1178 1998; Liu et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 33:291-300, 1997; Treacy et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 34:603-611, 1997; Agnes et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 40:857-872, 1999. Among the 20,000 to 25,000 expressed genes in tobacco anther, only 10,000 genes are anther-specific. Kamalay and Goldberg, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:2801-2805, 1984; Koltunow, et al., Plant Cell 2:1201-1224, 1990.

[0006] A promoter is a DNA fragment which determines the temporal and spatial specificity of gene expression during plant and animal development. Many tissue-specific genes and their promoters have been identified and isolated from a wide variety of plants and animals over the past decade, including cotton tissue-specific genes and promoters. Loguerico et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 261(4/5):660-671, 1999; Kawai et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 39(12):1380-1383, 1998; Song and Allen, Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1351(1):305-312, 1997; Ma et al, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1344(2):111-114, 1997; John, Plant Mol. Biol. 30(2):297-306, 1996; Rinehart et al., Plant Physiol. 112(3):1331-1341, 1996; Hasenfratz et al., Plant Physiol. 108(4):1395-1404, 1995; John and Peterson, Plant Mol. Biol. 26(6): 1989-1993, 1994; John and Crow, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89(13):5769-5773, 1992. These plant tissue-specific promoters can be used to control the expression of foreign genes in transgenic plants in a tissue-specific manner that will dominate the majority of the second generation of transgenic crops. Some plant tissues do not express high levels of the transgene in all desired tissues or the particular desired tissue. In transgenic Bt cotton, for example, Bt gene expression level is extremely low in the flower, including in the anther, resulting in little protection from pest insects in these tissues. To achieve better control of pest insects of cotton, it would be highly advantageous to identify anther-specific promoters which can produce higher levels of gene expression in these tissues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a promoter that is cotton another-specific, comprising the promoter of the cotton CoFS gene. The invention also provides a cotton anther-specific promoter comprising SEQ ID NO:2. In yet a further embodiment, the invention provides a transgenic plant expressing a transgene under control of a cotton anther-specific promoter of the cotton CoFS gene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 shows the results of a CoFS cDNA differential display assay.

[0009]FIG. 2 provides a Northern blot showing CoFS gene expression.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of constructs of CoFS promoter vector constructs and the cotton CoFS gene.

[0011]FIG. 4 provides the results of an assay of the expression of the GUS gene under the control of the CoFS gene promoter in transgenic tobacco plants.

[0012]FIG. 5 shows the results of an expression assay of the GUS gene under the control of the CoFS promoter in transgenic tobacco plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] An anther-specific gene (CoFS) and its corresponding promoter were isolated from cotton by differential display assay. The activity and tissue specificity of the isolated promoter was confirmed in transgenic tobacco plants using the CoFS promoter to control the expression of the GUS reporter gene.

[0014] Northern blot analysis of cDNAs from a variety of cotton tissues showed that a cDNA clone comprising the CoFS gene was strongly expressed in anthers, and also expressed in petal tissue, but less or not at all in other tissues. See FIG. 1.

[0015] An anther-specific gene (named CoFS)was isolated from cotton. The isolated complete CoFS cDNA is 8.4 kb in length. See Table I. Based on the CoFS cDNA sequence, a CoFS promoter fragment (2.6 kb) was isolated. See Table II. Comparing the nucleotide and predicted polypeptide sequences of the cotton CoFS gene with published sequences revealed that the gene was about 54-58% identical at the amino acid level with acyl-CoA synthetase (probable long-chain-acid cCoA ligase, EC 6.2.1.3) genes from some plants such as Brassica napus (X94624) and Arabidopsis (AL078468, AL161560). Less homology was found at the nucleotide level, indicating that CoFS is a novel gene found in cotton. Analyzing the CoFS gene sequence revealed that it may contain 9-10 exons and 8-9 introns in its open reading frame, based on amino acid sequences of the known acyl-CoA synthetases.

[0016] The CoFS promoter fragment was fused with the GUS gene to construct gene expression vectors for analyzing the function of the promoter. Transgenic tobacco plants with the CoFS promoter/GUS fusion genes were identified by Southern blot hybridization. In the transgenic plants studied, GUS activity was detected in anther, and weakly in ovaries, styles and stigmas, but not in petals or other tissues. This result, together with Northern blot analysis, indicates that the CoFS promoter is anther-specific in cotton. The promoter controls specific gene expression at the transcriptional level in cotton anthers. The isolated promoter may be used in improving expression of desired genes in anther and related tissues of the plant sexual organs to create new plant varieties, thereby enhancing quality and yield of the plant by gene manipulation.

[0017] The promoters of the present invention are useful in creating transgenic plants, especially including cotton, having improved expression of the transgene in anther tissue. Better expression of protective genes, such as the Bt gene, in anther tissue results in a plant with increased resistance to Bt-sensitive pests. Genes which may be expressed under the control of this promoter include any gene suitable for the purpose. TABLE I Sequence of the CoFS Gene From Cotton (SEQ ID NO:1). CCTCACATTTAAGCGGAAAAAAATATTAACTAATTACTAATTACTAAGGTCATGGGT TGCGCATTAAAGTTCACTGACGATTGTGCAAATGATGTTCCATAGAGCTTAATTGAT GAAATGGGAACTCATGACCCGCTTGAAGTAACTCGACTTGTAGAACTCATGAAGAA GCTTATCTACTTGAAGTTTTGGTAGCCCAATGAAATACTCTCGTAAATCTAGAGTTAT TAGTGTAAACCCTAAAGGGATCAAATTGTATAAATTTAAATCCCTTATGACTTTCAA TTGTAGATAGACTCTAATCTCGATCATGGATGTAACTCAATCTATTTGTTGGGTTTGG GGTGATTACTTCAATTCATTCCATTCATAGTTGTGAATATATTTGAGAGTATTTACGC AAACATTTGGTGTGTGCTATTTTTCCTTTGGTCTTTTGTTCTTCGTTGCCCATTCGTTC GAGTTTGCTTTCGCTATATTTTAATGCCTTAGAAAATTTTTGCGAGAATTCTCATTTT GTGAGAGTTAAGCGAACTTAGAATTATTTTTTTTAAAATCGCTTAAGGCTGTATGGT CTGTGAGACTAAAATTCTAGTCTCGTAACACTAATACAATCACAAGTAATTTACATT GTTCAAGTTCTTATTCACATAAGCGGTTGGATAAAGAAAATTAAAAAAAAACAATC GGATATAATTACAAAAAAATAAATTGAAATGTGCAATAATACAAATAATAATTATT GCTAAAGGTAAATAAAAAATGTAAATAATATCAATGAAGTTTGAAACCTTAAATG GTGAAGTTTGTGTCAACTAATAGAAGAAAAAATAAATTATTTATATAACTCTACTAA TGTATTATTTTATTTTGTAAAATTGATTTATTTATATTATTTCTACTAAATTGATGTGG AATTAGTGATATCTACTTAATTAACTATATATAATTATAATGAATCTCCGGGACTGT GACTGGTCAAAGATCATAAAGTGGTATCCAATAAATTTAAAATGCACTTGTAAAATA TTAGACTCATGATGGCACTGAGGCGGAGGTGAAGAGGCGGCAAAGCACATGGAGA AGCTATATAGAAAATTCTTTCACGAAAAAGGCAACTCTTGGCTTGTGTGTTGGGAAT TGTGTTAAGAACTGGATTATATAAAAACAATTATATGGGGAAAGGAAATGGTCCAC TGTCAATAGTTTACTATAAGCAAGTTGGAGATATAAAATTAAATATATATTCAGTAC ATATACGAGTTTGAGCAACAAAATTAGAGATCTTTTTTGTCAAGTTGATATCTTCAA TTTTATAACGTAAATGTTCTTTTGAAGGCAACAGTAATGATATATATATATGTAGAA GAAATTTAACTAAAAATAGATAATTAGGCTTAATTTAATTAATTCAAGTGCAATTGT TTTATCATAATATATATTACATTACAAGGCTTGAATTATTCATATTTTAAATTTATTT ATTAGTTAACAAAGTAATTATTGGTGCAAAAATAAATAAATTATTACCCCATTATCT ATTTTCTTAAATAAAAAAATATATTATATATGCCATTTACTCTCTTTAAAAAAATTTA ATTTACAAATAAACTAATAAATTTGTATATGATGATTTCGAATGAGGGTTTTAATAC AGTTATCATGATGATTTCAATACAATGGTTCCAAATGAATAAGGATTCCACTACAAC ATTAAACTCACCATAATGGTGATTCCAATTGAGTGTTCCTACATAATTATCATCATA ATTCTTACTTGGCAGGATACAAAAAATAATAATGGGTAAGGTAATTAAAAATTAAA ATAATTATCAATAAAGTTTTTATTATGGTGACAAAGTTTGATAATCATTATTAAATTA TTAATTGAGTAAAATATTTAAATATAGTAATGTATATATAATGAATCTCCGGCGATG TTGGCTGTTCAAAGATCATAAAATCCAATACATTTAAAATGCAGCTGTAAAATATGA TGTAAAGGGCGGATAAAGCACATGGAGAAGCCATATAGAAATTTCTTCCATGAAAA AGGCGACTCTTAGCTTGTGTGTTGGGAATTGTGTTAAGTTATATGGGAAAGGAAATA TTCCACTGTCAATAGTTTATTATAAGCAAGTGGGAGAAACAAAATTAAATATGTTAT TTTGAAGGCAACAGTAATAATATAATTATAAATTAAAATAACATAATTTAGGCTTAA TTTAATTAATGGTAAACTATAAAAAAAAGTCATTTTTGTTTGCTTCAGATTACATTTT AGTCACTTATGTTTGAAATGTTACGTTTTAGTCACTTACATTACCGTTTTGTTACGAA GTGGTCACTTTACCATTAAACTCTATTACCTCCCTAACGACAGTCCTACGTGGCAGT CAAAATGAATTTTAAATGCTAACTTGGACGTCCAGTTGCTGGGACATTTTCCGGTTC ACCTACAGCCACCTAATACTTAGGCGCTATATATTTTCCCAAAATTATTCTCCACATT TCACTCCCAGAGCCCTCCATCTATGTAGAGAGCTGTAAGAGAGAATATAAAAAAGG GAAAGCTAGCTGAGGATCGTTTGATTTTGGACATTTTGATGAAACGGCCTGGAAATA ATTTTGTAATAGAGGTAGAGAAAGGTAAAGACCCCAGCGATGGACAGCCGTCGATC GGTCCTGTTTATCGCAGTTCTTTTGCTGCTAATGGATTCCCTGCTCCGATTCCTGGAA TGGAGAGTTGCTGGGACATTTTCCGGTTCGTTTTTAGCTTTCTCTTTTTTACTTTACGC TTCTTGCTTGGCTGCTAAGAAAATAAGGATACTAGGAGAAGATTTGACTTCTTCTAT TCTTTGCTTTGATTTCAGATGGCTTTCGCAATAGTTGCCATTTTTTTTGAATTTTTACT TCCCCTTTTTTAAGTTGAGTAGATTTTTCTTCTAATTTGTTGGCTTTGTTATTTTTTTAT TTCGCGACGAGGTGGCGATGAAATCGAGAAACGTACTTTTAAGGATCCTATGAGAA AGTTATATGCAAGATCGAAACGCCTAATATTTGAAACTATTGAATTTTAACGCTCAC ACAGAGCAAGAATCGAGTTACTGGTATTTCCATTCTTATAGCTGAAAGATTGATGGC TTTCATTCAACTCAATGTAAAACTGTGAAATAAATTGTTTAATAGTAGTAATTATTTT GGTTTTGATGCTTATGTGATGTGGAGATTAAAATATTGCCTCCTTATAACTTAGCTGA ACCGTAGATATGGGCTGATTGAACTTGCTAACTAACTGTATGACAGCTCCTATTTAC GAAAAAGTAATATTTTATTTGAGGATGATGATTTCGATTTCATTTTCTCCTTGCAGTA TGTCAGTTGAGAAATATCCTGACAACCATATGCTTGGTCGCCGACAGATTGTGGATG GGAAAGTATGTTGCTGCTGCAGTTTCCTTTTTTCTTGTTACTTTTGCGTTCTGTTTGTA GTGCGGCCTTTGACTTTTAGTTCATGTATCTAAATTGACATGCTTTGATTGCAGGCTG GAAAATACGTGTGGCAAACTTACAGAGAAGTTTATGACATTGTAACAAAAGTTGGG AATTCCATCCGAAGTTGTGATGTTGTGGAAGTAATGCTTTAACCTCCTTTTTTCCTTT TAATTGTAAAATTATTGTCAATTTTTTTTATAACAAATATCCTATTTCTGGGGATCAA TATCCACCCACAATTGATGCTAATAAAAAAAAAAATTAAGCTTTTTATTCTTGCTTA CAGGGAGGAAAGTGTGGTATTTATGGTGCCAATTGCCCAGAATGGATAATTAGCAT GGAGGTATGATCATTCTGGCATGTTTCATCTGATTTGCACAGTGGACATCCCAAGTT ACTTAGATGTCGCTATAACTTGTTTCTTTGGATCATACTATTTGCTACCAAATTGCTT GTTGCCCGAAATGTTTACTAATGTTGCAAGATTGATACAGGCCTGCAACGCTCATGG ACTCTATTGTGTTCCTTTATATGACACTTTGGGTATTTCTTCTTGAGATCCAACAAAA GCATTCTTTCAGTTTTTGCCAAACAACTACCTTTCTCTAACAACCATCTTATGTGTAT TATGTACTCTTCATATAGTCTGTGATCATAATATCCTTAAACTCTTTAAATTATTCTT GCATTCCAACGCGCCTGCTACTCTTTTTGAATGTTTGATACGTTGCTACATATTTGTA GGTGCCGGTGCTGTGGAGTTTATCATATGCCATGCAGAAATTTCTATTGCTTTTGTAG AGGAAAAGAAGATTAATGAGGTATGCCTGTTTACATCTATATTTGAAACCCTAGTAG TGATATGGCAACTACTGGGAAAGATACTTCTAGATACTTGCAAAAATAAGATATCTA TCTACAAAATAGATTCGATGTTTTATTTTTATTATCAGCATTTGCTTCTATGCTTGCTG CTCACTTATGCATAGTTGATATTGATACAAGAATCTGTAATTTCACAAATTTTCTGTT CTTTTTTCTTTTGGGTTTCTCATGTAAGGTTTTTCTTTTTCCTTTCAGCTGTTCAAAAC ATTTCCAGCCTCAACAGAACACTTGAAAAGTAAGCTATCTGATTATTTAGGGGGATT CTTGAAATAGTACGTTACAAATTATTTATGTCCATGTATTTTTGCTATGCAGCAATTG TTAGCTTCGGGAAGGTAACACCTGAGCAGAAGGCAGAAGCTGAGAAGCATGGTTTG AAGATATATCCTTGGGAGGAATTTTTGCAACTGGTAAGCTCTTTGCTCTGTTATTTTC CACTTCAATTTATCAGAAATAAAATTTATTCTGCTGAACTAATTGTGTCTATTTTAGC AGACTGCCATCCTGTTAGTTACGAGTTCAGATGAAGCCATATGGCTGTAGAAAACAT GCTTCTGGCAGTGCTTAATATGAACTAGGCTTCATTACATTTTCATGCATGCGCCTAT ATCTTTTTTCCTTAGCTAACCGTTATTGGATTGATGGATTTTAACCTGTAGATGACTT ATGTTCTGATTTAAGCTCTTATGTCTGTTTCTTGCAGGGAGAAAATAAGAATTATGGT CTTCCGGTGAAGAAGAAAACTGATATCTGCACGATAATGTATACTAGTGGAACAAC TGGTGATCCAAAGGGAGTATTGATTTCAAATGATAGTATTGTTACTCTTATAGCAGG GGTGAAACGCCTGCTGGGGAGTGTAAATGAACAGGTGACCTTTTCATTTTATTTTTG ACCATTTCACCAGTCACTTGGTTTGATCTGTCGTTTCTTTTCTTTCCTCCACCAAATTT GACATGATTGTTCCCTTGTTTTCCCTTTCTCATTTGTTTGTTTCTTGTGAAATTTACAG TTGACTATGAAGGATGTATATATTTCTTATCTTCCTCTTGCTCATATCTTTGACCGGG TGATTGAGGAATTATTTATTTCGCATGGTGCTTCAATAGGATTTTGGCGTGGGGTAA GCATGATTAGTTAGTACTCTGACAACAAATACGGGTTCATTCAAATCAGCAAGTGCT TATTTGTTTCATCTTCAGGATGTGAAACTATTGGTCGAAGATATTGGAGAGCTAAAG CCAAGTATCTTCTGTGCTGTTCCTCGTGTCTTAGATAGAATTTATTCAGGTAAACTTT CTTATATTCGTGGATTAGGCAATGTCATTTTTGGGTTGTTTGTGGAGGTTATACTAAG CAACCTGGAACATGTACTAGCTGGAAAACTTGTCTTAATTTACTTATTTTTAGTATTT ATAAATGAAACAAAACTAGATTGATTCACTTTTCTGTTAAATACAATGAATATATAC TCAGCTTTTTTCAGAAGATGCATGTTCTCAGCTGTGAGATTGTCATAACCTTTGTACA TTATCAGGTTTACTACAGAAGATTTCTTGCGGGCGGCTTATTGAAAAAGAAGATGTT TGATTTAGCATACACATAGTAAGTTACTCTCATATTTTCAGTTTCTTATGTGAAGCTG TTCATTTTATCTGCTGGCCGCCCAAAAATATTGATTGGAAATAGAGTTAAATTGCTCT ATTAGTTCTGCCACTGCAGACTCACCGGAGTAAAGGAAAATAAAAGATATTTGGGC ATTCTCTAACAAGCAACAGGGTCAAAAGCATATTTTTCCTTGTAGACAAATATAGAA TTTGTTAGAGTTGTGTGACCCAAATTCTAGTTAAAAAAAAGTGGCAAGATAGGGGG ATTTGTGGGGGCATCGGAGGCCCCCACGGTACGGTACAGACTGCACAAGTGGAATT CGTATAAAAGTACACTTCTTCTATTTGATATTGATTTGAATAAGGTGTTTCAACCTTA TTGCATTGCTTCTATTAGGTTTTGATTAGAATAAGGTTTATAGGTCGTCGTCTCTCTC TGCCCGTGGTTTTGTGTGTTATATTTTTACCCTCTTTCTTTACGATTCATTGTCATTAT CGAGGTTTGTTTTTCACAGAATTGTCTCAATCCCTTTGGGTTTATGAGCTTTTGCATT AGTAGAGATCCATTTGCAGTCTGTGATTGCACTTTTCGTGAATATGTTTAACAGAGTT ACTGAATCAGGATTACGGTTTCTTGGCTTTGATTTTACTAATATCTGACATCTGTGAT AACCTACAGCAAATACTACAACATGAAGAAGGGCCGCAAACATGGAGAAGCATCTC CAATTTGTGACAAAATTGTATTTAGTAAGGTGATGAAAGTCTTCATTGATACATTAT ATGCACGAGGCTCCTTGAATATTGGCCAAAAGCCCATTAAATCACATTTACCTGCAA CATAATCCTCTTGACTACTCAAATCTCATGTTGAGTTGTAATTTTTCTCAGGTAAAGC AAGGATTGGGAGGGAATGTGCGGCTTATTCTATCTGGTGCAGCACCTCTTTCAGCTC ATGTGGAAGAGTTCTTGCGAGTTGTGGCATGTTGTCATGTTCTGCAAGGATATGGTA TAGTTGAAGTCAGCCTTTGTGCTTGTGATAAGTTCTTTTTTTCCCTTTACCAGCTGTG CACACTGGCTGCAACATGAACATTTATTATTATGTTGATCCAAATGTAGGTCTGACG GAGAGTTGTGCGGGGAGTTTTGTCTCTTTACCTAATGAATTGTCAATGCTTGGTACTG TGGGGCCTCCCAGTACCAAACATAGATGTACGCCTGGAATCTGTTCCCGAAATGAAT TATGATGCCCTTGCTAGCACACCACGGGGGGAAATTTGTATCAAAGGAAATACATTA TTCTCAGGATACTACAAACGTGAAGACCTCACCCGTGAAGTATTGATTGATGGATGG TTCCACACAGGTCTTCCAACTTTTGTTTCTTTTAAGGTTCTATGCATTATTAGTTTTTA TCTATAAGTTGAAGACCTTGAATCTTTGTGCATTAGGGGATATTGGAGAGTGGCAAC CTAATGGAAGCATGAAGATTATTGATCGAAAGAAGAACATTTTTAAGCTTTCACAAG GTGAATATGTTGCTGTTGAGAACCTGGAGAACATTTACGGTCTCGTGTCAGCTATTG ATTCGGTACATCTCTTATGCTCTCTTTGATACATTAACATACACTGCTTCTCGGATAT GTAGCCATGCACTGAATGTTGGTCAAACGTAAAATTGATTTTGAAATGATTGGCAAA TTAAACATTTTCTTTCTTATGTTACCTTATGATTGCATTCCTTTTTTAGCACTAGGTTT CAACCCATTGCCATTGATGGTTGCTTGATTGAACAAAAATAAACATAATAATCGAAA TATGCATGTCATGTTACAGTGTTTTTATCGTATCAGTTGTGTAAACATGTGTCAAAAT CCTTTAACAGAAATATGACAAATGTACTAAATATGTTAAATCATGCTTAAGCGCATC ATATGGTATCTAAATTTGTCATACATATATGTCATGGAAGTGATGTAAAATAAACTA TAGTTTATGTCAGATTTGTAATTTACTTGCTGGAGATTGGCATTCTTTTAAACTTTTC AGTTTCATGTCTTTATCAATTTCAGATATGGATTTACGGAAACAGCTTTGAGTCGTTC CTTGTTGCGGTTGTTAACCCCAATAAGGAAGCACTTGAAAGCTGGGGTGCCGACAAT AACGTAAGTGGTGACTTCGAGTCCCTCTGTCAAAACCCCAAGGCCAAAGAGTTCATA CTTGGGGAGCTCGCAAAGACTGGCAAAGAGAAAAAGGTTAGTTATTCATGCTTTTTG CCCCCTTTTTTATTTTTCAAAATTTATGAAATATGGGTTTATCAATTCATACTGAAAT ATTATAATCTTTACTCAGCTAAAAGGTTTTGAATTCTTTGGATCC

[0018] TABLE II Sequence of the Cotton CoFS Promoter (SEQ ID NO:2). GGGAAGCTTATCTACTTGAAGTTTTGGTAGCCCAATGAAATACTCTCGTAAATCTAG AGTTATTAGTGTAAACCCTAAAGGGATCAAATTGTATAAATTTAAATCCCTTATGAC TTTCAATTGTAGATAGACTCTAATCTCGATCATGGATGTAACTCAATCTATTTGTTGG GTTTGGGGTGATTACTTCAATTCATTCCATTCATAGTTGTGAATATATTTGAGAGTAT TTACGCAAACATTTGGTGTGTGCTATTTTTCCTTTGGTCTTTTGTTCTTCGTTGCCCAT TCGTTCGAGTTTGCTTTCGCTATATTTTAATGCCTTAGAAAATTTTTGCGAGAATTCT CATTTTGTGAGAGTTAAGCGAACTTAGAATTATTTTTTTTAAAATCGCTTAAGGCTGT ATGGTCTGTGAGACTAAAATTCTAGTCTCGTAACACTAATACAATCACAAGTAATTT ACATTGTTCAAGTTCTTATTCACATAAGCGGTTGGATAAAGAAAATTAAAAAAAAAC AATCGGATATAATTACAAAAAAATAAATTGAAATGTGCAATAATACAAATAATAAT TATTGCTAAAGGTAAATAAAAAATGTAAATAATTATCAATGAAGTTTGAAACCTTAA ATGGTGAAGTTTGTGTCAACTAATAGAAGAAAAAATAAATTATTTATATAACTCTAC TAATGTATTATTTTATTTTGTAAAATTGATTTATTTATATTATTTCTACTAAATTGATG TGGAATTAGTGATATCTACTTAATTAACTATATATAATTATAATGAATCTCCGGGAC TGTGACTGGTCAAAGATCATAAAGTGGTATCCAATAAATTTAAAATGCACTTGTAAA ATATTAGACTCATGATGGCACTGAGGCGGAGGTGAAGAGGCGGCAAAGCACATGGA GAAGCTATATAGAAAATTCTTTCACGAAAAAGGCAACTCTTGGCTTGTGTGTTGGGA ATTGTGTTAAGAACTGGKATTATATAAAAACAATTATATGGGGAAAGGAAATGGTCC ACTGTCAATAGTTTACTATAAGCAAGTTGGAGATATAAAATTAAATATATATTCAGT ACATATACGAGTTTGAGCAACAAAATTAGAGATCTTTTTTGTCAAGTTGATATCTTC AATTTTATAACGTAAATGTTCTTTTGAAGGCAACAGTAATGATATATATATATGTAG AAGAAATTTAACTAAAAATAGATAATTAGGCTTAATTTAATTAATTCAAGTGCAATT GTTTTATCATAATATATATTACATTACAAGGCTTGAATTATTCATATTTTAAATTTAT TTATTAGTTAACAAAGTAATTATTGGTGCAAAAATAAATAAATTATTACCCCATTAT CTATTTTCTTAAATAAAAAAATATATTATATATGCCATTTACTCTCTTTAAAAAAATT TAATTTACAAATAAACTAATAAATTTGTATATGATGATTTCGAATGAGGGTTTTAAT ACAGTTATCATGATGATTTCAATACAATGGTTCCAAATGAATAAGGATTCCACTACA ACATTAAACTCACCATAATGGTGATTCCAATTGAGTGTTCCTACATAATTATCATCAT AATTCTTACTTGGCAGGATACAAAAAATAATAATGGGTAAGGTAATTAAAAATTAA AATAATTATCAATAAAGTTTTTATTATGGTGACAAAGTTTGATAATCATTATTAAATT ATTAATTGAGTAAAATATTTAAATATAGTAATGTATATATAATGAATCTCCGGCGAT GTTGGCTGTTCAAAGATCATAAAATCCAATACATTTAAAATGCAGCTGTAAAATATG ATGTGAAGGGCGGATACCACACATGGAGAAGCCATATAGAAATTTCTTCCGGTACC ATGAAAAAGGCGACTCTTAGCTTGTGTGTTGGGAATTGTGTTAAGTTATATGGGAAA GGAAATATTCCACTGTCAATAGTTTATTATAAGCAAGTGGGAGAAACAAAATTAAAT ATGTTATTTTGAAGGCAACAGTAATAATATAATTATAAATTAAAATAACATAATTTA GGCTTAATTTAATTAATGGTAAACTATAAAAAAAAGTCATTTTTGTTTGCTTCAGATT ACATTTTAGTCACTTATGTTTGAAATGTTACGTTTTAGTCACTTACATTACCGTTTTGT TACGAAGTGGTCACTTTACCATTAAACTCTATTACCTCCCTAACGACAGTCCTACGT GGCAGTCAAAATGAATTTTAAATGCTAACTTGGACGTCCAGTTGCTGGGACATTTTC CGGTTCACCTACAGCCACCTAATACTTAGGCGCTATATATTTTCCCAAAATTATTCTC CACATTTCACTCCCAGAGCCCTCCATCTATGTAGAGAGCTGTAAGAGAGAATATAAA AAAGGGAAAGCTAGCTGAGGATCGTTTGATTTTGGACATTTTGGGATCC

[0019] TABLE III Sequence of a CoFS 275 bp cDNA Fragment (SEQ ID NO:3). GGTCACTGTGACGTGCCGTGGCTACTGTGAAACGAGCCGTGGCTACTGTGAACGTGC CGTGGCTACTGTGAACGAGCCGTGGCTACTGTGAACGTGCCGTGGCTACTGTGAACG TGCCGTGGCTACTGTGAACGAGCCGTGGTCACTGTGATACGTGCCGGGAGTTTTGTC TCTTTACCTAATGAATTGTCAATGCTTGGTACTGTGGGGCCCCATACCAAACATAGA TGTACGCCTGGAATCTGTTCCGAAAAAAAAAAAACTGAATTCCGAGT

[0020] The following non-limiting examples are included to illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Isolation of an Anther-specific cDNA Fragment Encoding a CoFS Sequence Expressed in Cotton Anthers

[0021] Cotton seeds were surface-sterilised with 70% ethanol for 30-60 seconds and 10% H₂O₂ for 30-60 minutes, followed by washing with sterile water. The seeds were germinated on ½ MS medium at 28 C with 16 hr lighting. Cotyledons and hypocotyls were cut from sterile seedlings as transformation explant material. Cotton plants were grown in pots for DNA and RNA extraction. Total RNA was extracted from young fibres, ovaries, anthers, petals, sepals, leaves and roots of cotton using the guanidinium thiocyanate method or SV Total RNA Isolation System (Promega). Poly (A)⁺RNA was purified using oligo(dT)-cellulose spin columns from an mRNA purification kit (Pharmacia Biotech). Total RNAs from different tissues of cotton were used to reverse-transcribe first-strand cDNAs. These cDNAs were used as templates in differential display PCR.

[0022] Differential display analysis was carried out with the Differential Display Kit (Clontech). First-strand cDNA was synthesised with 2 μg total RNA as starting materials of reverse transcription and oligo(dT) as primers at 42 C for 1 hour. Reactions of differential display PCR were carried out with an initial cycle consisting of 94 C for 5 minutes, 40 C for 5 minutes and 68 C for 5 minutes, followed by two cycles consisting of 94 C for 2 minutes and 40 C for 5 minutes and 68 C for 5 minutes, and then 25 cycles consisting of 94 C for 1 minute, 60 C for 1 minute and 68 C for 2 minutes, and a final extension at 68 C for 7 minutes. Target differential display bands were excised and re-amplified for further analysis. PCR fragments, DNA and cDNA fragments were sub cloned into vectors, and plasmid DNA and phagemid DNA prepared with a Qiagen Plasmid Kit were used as templates in PCR reactions. The PCR products were sequenced by autosequencer.

[0023] Cotton cDNA was synthesised using a cDNA synthesis kit (Stratagene). Cotton cDNA libraries were constructed by inserting the cDNA fragments into the ZAP express vector (Stratagene). Reproducible anther- and petal-specific differential display products (see FIG. 1) were targeted for further analysis. The cDNAs in each target band were harvested and regenerated by PCR amplification. The isolated cDNAs were subsequently sub cloned into a vector and sequenced.

[0024] To confirm which cDNA transcripts specifically accumulated in cotton anthers, cDNA expression patterns were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization with total RNA isolated from cotton fibers, ovules, anthers, petals, sepals, stems, leaves and roots, using probes from the cDNA clones. For Northern blot analysis, RNA samples from different cotton tissues were separated on agarose-formaldehyde gels, and transferred onto Hybond-N nylon membranes by capillary blotting. RNA Northern blots were hybridised in ExpressHyb solution (Clontech) at 68 C with ³²P-cDNA probes prepared by random labelling (Prime-a-Gene Labelling System, Promega). After hybridisation, the blots were washed at 68 C in 0.1×SSC, 0.5% SDS for 30-60 minutes.

[0025] One clone was identified as a 275 bp CoFS cDNA fragment (see Table III). The cDNA fragment was found to share 73% homology with the acyl-CoA synthetase gene (X94624) of Brassica napus in a region of 33 amino acids of the open reading frame. Northern blot hybridization revealed the CoFS cDNA transcripts accumulated largely in cotton anthers, and also accumulated more or less in petals, but these transcripts were not detected in RNA from fibers, ovules, stems, leaves and roots (see FIG. 2). This result shows that CoFS cDNA expression is anther-specific in cotton.

EXAMPLE 2 Isolation and Structure Analysis of CoFS Gene

[0026] Plant materials from cotton were prepared as in Example 1. Tobacco seeds were surface-sterilized with 70% ethanol for 30-60 seconds and 0.1% HgCl₂ for 15 minutes, followed by washing with sterile water. The seeds were germinated on ½ MS medium in light at 28 C, and leaves cut from sterile seedlings were used as experimental materials.

[0027] Total DNA was extracted and purified from leaves of cotton and tobacco plants according to the following method. Leaf tissues (z-4 g) were thoroughly homogenised in liquid N₂. The homogenized tissues were placed in a 50 ml tube with 20 ml ice-cold extraction buffer and sedimented at 2500 rpm for 15 minutes. After removing the supernatant, each pellet was resuspended in 10 ml lysis buffer and incubated at 65 C for 30 minutes. Ten milliliters chloroform was added to each tube and mixed with the samples. The samples then were sedimented at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was transferred to a clean tube, and chloroform extraction was repeated once more. The supernatant was transferred to a clean tube, and 0.6 volume isopropanol was added to each tube for DNA precipitation. After centrifuging at 3500 rpm for 30 minutes, the DNA was washed with 70% ethanol. The isolated genomic DNA was then dissolved in sterile water for use.

[0028] Cotton genomic DNA libraries were constructed from leaves of cotton plants. DNA was partially digested with BamH I, and the DNA fragments were cloned in the BamH I site of ZAP express vector (Stratagene). The cotton genomic DNA libraries were screened using CoFS gene fragments isolated by Genome Walk PCR as probes.

[0029] Genome Walker libraries were constructed using the Universal Genome Walker Kit (Clontech). Genomic DNA from leaves of cotton plants was digested with five restriction enzymes respectively, purified by phenol/chloroform extraction and precipitated in ethanol. The digested DNA was ligated to Genome Walker adaptors.

[0030] Two Genome Walker polymerase chain reactions were carried out successively: 1 μl of each Genome Walker DNA library was used as the templates in the primary PCR, and the primary PCR products were used as templates in the secondary PCR. The PCR was started at 95 C for 1 minute, followed by 35 cycles of 95 C for 15 seconds and 68 C for 4 minutes and a final extension at 68 C for 6 minutes. Target PCR bands were purified using a Geneclean Kit (Bio 101).

[0031] The screens revealed two CoFS gene positive clones. One clone contained a 4.801 kb cotton CoFS gene region, and the other contained a 3.913 kb cotton DNA fragment covering part of CoFS promoter region. Three CoFS promoter fragments (0.7, 1.4 and 2.6 kb, respectively) were isolated from the cotton Genome Walker libraries. The complete CoFS gene isolated from cotton was 8.4 kb in length, including a 2.6 kb promoter region. The sequences are provided in Tables I and II.

EXAMPLE 3 Functional Analysis of CoFS Promoters

[0032] To characterize the function of the CoFS promoter in anther-specific expression of the CoFS gene, a 0.7 kb fragment, a 1.4 kb fragment and a 2.5 kb fragment of the CoFS promoter were fused with the GUS coding sequence in the gene expression vector pBI121 (replacing the CaMV35S promoter), respectively. See FIG. 3.

[0033] Vectors were constructed as follows. A Hind III site and a BamH I site were created by PCR at the 5′-end and 3′-end of the 0.7, 1.4 and 2.4 kb CoFS promoter fragments respectively. The Hind III/BamH I fragment was initially sub cloned into pGEM-T vector (Promega). Plasmid DNA containing the CoFS promoter fragments was digested with Hind III and BamH I, and the digested fragment was isolated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Three chimeric CoFS promoter/GUS constructs were generated by insertion of the 0.7, 1.4 or 2.4 kb fragment, respectively, replacing the CaMV 35S promoter, into the Hind III/BamH I sites of pBI121 vector.

[0034] The CoFS promoter/GUS fusion gene constructs were used to transform tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, using the pBI121 vector containing a CaMV35S promoter/GUS fusion protein as a positive control. The CaMV35S promoter is a constitutive promoter, active in all plant tissues. Odell et al., Nature 313:810-812, 1985; Ow et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4870-4874, 1987; McCabe and Martinell, Biotechnol. 11:596-598, 1993.

[0035] The binary vectors containing CoFS promoter/GUS fusion genes were transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404. Tobacco transformations were carried out using the leaf-disc method (Horsch, et al., 1985). Tobacco leaves were cut into pieces about 2×2 cm, and immersed in the Agrobacteria suspension for five minutes. The infected tobacco explants were cultivated on MS medium with 1 mg/L 6-BA for 48 hours at 28 C and transferred onto selection MS medium containing 100 mg/L kanamycin and 1 mg/L 6-BA for 20-30 days. Kanamycin-resistant (transformed) shoots were selected. The transformed shoots were cut from the calli and rooted on MS medium with 50-100 mg/L kanamycin. The transformed tobacco plants were transplanted to soil for growing to maturity.

[0036] Transgenic tobacco plants possessing the chimeric CoFS promoter/GUS gene (or 35S/GUS gene), and negative control, non-transformed plants were analyzed by DNA Southern blot hybridization and by GUS histochemical assay. For Southern blot analysis, total genomic DNA from the transgenic tobacco leaves was digested with restriction enzymes, separated on agarose gels, and transferred onto Hybond-N nylon membranes by capillary blotting. DNA Southern blots were hybridized in ExpressHyb solution (Clontech) at 68 C with ³²P-DNA probes prepared by random labelling (Promega Prime-a-Gene Labelling System). After hybridization, the blots were washed at 68 C in 0.1×SSC, 0.5% SDS for 30-60 minutes. The ³²P-labelled nylon membranes were exposed to X-ray film at -70 C for autoradiograph. See FIG. 4 for the results.

[0037] Histochemical assays for GUS activity in transgenic tobacco plants were conducted according to a protocol described previously, Jefferson, Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 5:387-405, 1987, with some modifications. Fresh tissues from the plants were incubated in X-gluc (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylglucuronide) solution consisting of 0.1 M sodium phosphate (pH 7.0), 10 mM ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 0.5 mM potassium ferrocyanide and 0.1% X-gluc (Clontech chemical) overnight. The stained plant materials were then cleared and fixed by rinsing with 100% and 70% ethanol successively, and the samples were examined and photographed directly or under a microscope. See FIG. 5.

[0038] The results of Southern blot analysis demonstrated that CoFS promoter/GUS gene was integrated into the tobacco genome. More than 50 tobacco transgenic plants were obtained and transplanted in soil to grow to maturation. Consistent with the results from Northern blot analysis of cotton, the GUS gene driven by the CoFS promoter was specifically and strongly expressed in tobacco anthers. Weak activity of GUS gene under CoFS promoter was also detected in ovaries, styles and stigmas, but no GUS activity was detected in petals or other tissues in all the transgenic tobacco plants studied. This result, together with the above Northern blot analysis, indicates that the CoFS promoter is able to control specific gene expression at the transcriptional level in plant anthers.

References

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1 3 1 8367 DNA Arabidopsis sp. 1 cctcacattt aagcggaaaa aaatattaac taattactaa ttactaaggt catgggttgc 60 gcattaaagt tcactgacga ttgtgcaaat gatgttccat agagcttaat tgatgaaatg 120 ggaactcatg acccgcttga agtaactcga cttgtagaac tcatgaagaa gcttatctac 180 ttgaagtttt ggtagcccaa tgaaatactc tcgtaaatct agagttatta gtgtaaaccc 240 taaagggatc aaattgtata aatttaaatc ccttatgact ttcaattgta gatagactct 300 aatctcgatc atggatgtaa ctcaatctat ttgttgggtt tggggtgatt acttcaattc 360 attccattca tagttgtgaa tatatttgag agtatttacg caaacatttg gtgtgtgcta 420 tttttccttt ggtcttttgt tcttcgttgc ccattcgttc gagtttgctt tcgctatatt 480 ttaatgcctt agaaaatttt tgcgagaatt ctcattttgt gagagttaag cgaacttaga 540 attatttttt ttaaaatcgc ttaaggctgt atggtctgtg agactaaaat tctagtctcg 600 taacactaat acaatcacaa gtaatttaca ttgttcaagt tcttattcac ataagcggtt 660 ggataaagaa aattaaaaaa aaacaatcgg atataattac aaaaaaataa attgaaatgt 720 gcaataatac aaataataat tattgctaaa ggtaaataaa aaatgtaaat aattatcaat 780 gaagtttgaa accttaaatg gtgaagtttg tgtcaactaa tagaagaaaa aataaattat 840 ttatataact ctactaatgt attattttat tttgtaaaat tgatttattt atattatttc 900 tactaaattg atgtggaatt agtgatatct acttaattaa ctatatataa ttataatgaa 960 tctccgggac tgtgactggt caaagatcat aaagtggtat ccaataaatt taaaatgcac 1020 ttgtaaaata ttagactcat gatggcactg aggcggaggt gaagaggcgg caaagcacat 1080 ggagaagcta tatagaaaat tctttcacga aaaaggcaac tcttggcttg tgtgttggga 1140 attgtgttaa gaactggatt atataaaaac aattatatgg ggaaaggaaa tggtccactg 1200 tcaatagttt actataagca agttggagat ataaaattaa atatatattc agtacatata 1260 cgagtttgag caacaaaatt agagatcttt tttgtcaagt tgatatcttc aattttataa 1320 cgtaaatgtt cttttgaagg caacagtaat gatatatata tatgtagaag aaatttaact 1380 aaaaatagat aattaggctt aatttaatta attcaagtgc aattgtttta tcataatata 1440 tattacatta caaggcttga attattcata ttttaaattt atttattagt taacaaagta 1500 attattggtg caaaaataaa taaattatta ccccattatc tattttctta aataaaaaaa 1560 tatattatat atgccattta ctctctttaa aaaaatttaa tttacaaata aactaataaa 1620 tttgtatatg atgatttcga atgagggttt taatacagtt atcatgatga tttcaataca 1680 atggttccaa atgaataagg attccactac aacattaaac tcaccataat ggtgattcca 1740 attgagtgtt cctacataat tatcatcata attcttactt ggcaggatac aaaaaataat 1800 aatgggtaag gtaattaaaa attaaaataa ttatcaataa agtttttatt atggtgacaa 1860 agtttgataa tcattattaa attattaatt gagtaaaata tttaaatata gtaatgtata 1920 tataatgaat ctccggcgat gttggctgtt caaagatcat aaaatccaat acatttaaaa 1980 tgcagctgta aaatatgatg taaagggcgg ataaagcaca tggagaagcc atatagaaat 2040 ttcttccatg aaaaaggcga ctcttagctt gtgtgttggg aattgtgtta agttatatgg 2100 gaaaggaaat attccactgt caatagttta ttataagcaa gtgggagaaa caaaattaaa 2160 tatgttattt tgaaggcaac agtaataata taattataaa ttaaaataac ataatttagg 2220 cttaatttaa ttaatggtaa actataaaaa aaagtcattt ttgtttgctt cagattacat 2280 tttagtcact tatgtttgaa atgttacgtt ttagtcactt acattaccgt tttgttacga 2340 agtggtcact ttaccattaa actctattac ctccctaacg acagtcctac gtggcagtca 2400 aaatgaattt taaatgctaa cttggacgtc cagttgctgg gacattttcc ggttcaccta 2460 cagccaccta atacttaggc gctatatatt ttcccaaaat tattctccac atttcactcc 2520 cagagccctc catctatgta gagagctgta agagagaata taaaaaaggg aaagctagct 2580 gaggatcgtt tgattttgga cattttgatg aaacggcctg gaaataattt tgtaatagag 2640 gtagagaaag gtaaagaccc cagcgatgga cagccgtcga tcggtcctgt ttatcgcagt 2700 tcttttgctg ctaatggatt ccctgctccg attcctggaa tggagagttg ctgggacatt 2760 ttccggttcg tttttagctt tctctttttt actttacgct tcttgcttgg ctgctaagaa 2820 aataaggata ctaggagaag atttgacttc ttctattctt tgctttgatt tcagatggct 2880 ttcgcaatag ttgccatttt ttttgaattt ttacttcccc ttttttaagt tgagtagatt 2940 tttcttctaa tttgttggct ttgttatttt tttatttcgc gacgaggtgg cgatgaaatc 3000 gagaaacgta cttttaagga tcctatgaga aagttatatg caagatcgaa acgcctaata 3060 tttgaaacta ttgaatttta acgctcacac agagcaagaa tcgagttact ggtatttcca 3120 ttcttatagc tgaaagattg atggctttca ttcaactcaa tgtaaaactg tgaaataaat 3180 tgtttaatag tagtaattat tttggttttg atgcttatgt gatgtggaga ttaaaatatt 3240 gcctccttat aacttagctg aaccgtagat atgggctgat tgaacttgct aactaactgt 3300 atgacagctc ctatttacga aaaagtaata ttttatttga ggatgatgat ttcgatttca 3360 ttttctcctt gcagtatgtc agttgagaaa tatcctgaca accatatgct tggtcgccga 3420 cagattgtgg atgggaaagt atgttgctgc tgcagtttcc ttttttcttg ttacttttgc 3480 gttctgtttg tagtgcggcc tttgactttt agttcatgta tctaaattga catgctttga 3540 ttgcaggctg gaaaatacgt gtggcaaact tacagagaag tttatgacat tgtaacaaaa 3600 gttgggaatt ccatccgaag ttgtgatgtt gtggaagtaa tgctttaacc tccttttttc 3660 cttttaattg taaaattatt gtcaattttt tttataacaa atatcctatt tctggggatc 3720 aatatccacc cacaattgat gctaataaaa aaaaaaatta agctttttat tcttgcttac 3780 agggaggaaa gtgtggtatt tatggtgcca attgcccaga atggataatt agcatggagg 3840 tatgatcatt ctggcatgtt tcatctgatt tgcacagtgg acatcccaag ttacttagat 3900 gtcgctataa cttgtttctt tggatcatac tatttgctac caaattgctt gttgcccgaa 3960 atgtttacta atgttgcaag attgatacag gcctgcaacg ctcatggact ctattgtgtt 4020 cctttatatg acactttggg tatttcttct tgagatccaa caaaagcatt ctttcagttt 4080 ttgccaaaca actacctttc tctaacaacc atcttatgtg tattatgtac tcttcatata 4140 gtctgtgatc ataatatcct taaactcttt aaattattct tgcattccaa cgcgcctgct 4200 actctttttg aatgtttgat acgttgctac atatttgtag gtgccggtgc tgtggagttt 4260 atcatatgcc atgcagaaat ttctattgct tttgtagagg aaaagaagat taatgaggta 4320 tgcctgttta catctatatt tgaaacccta gtagtgatat ggcaactact gggaaagata 4380 cttctagata cttgcaaaaa taagatatct atctacaaaa tagattcgat gttttatttt 4440 tattatcagc atttgcttct atgcttgctg ctcacttatg catagttgat attgatacaa 4500 gaatctgtaa tttcacaaat tttctgttct tttttctttt gggtttctca tgtaaggttt 4560 ttctttttcc tttcagctgt tcaaaacatt tccagcctca acagaacact tgaaaagtaa 4620 gctatctgat tatttagggg gattcttgaa atagtacgtt acaaattatt tatgtccatg 4680 tatttttgct atgcagcaat tgttagcttc gggaaggtaa cacctgagca gaaggcagaa 4740 gctgagaagc atggtttgaa gatatatcct tgggaggaat ttttgcaact ggtaagctct 4800 ttgctctgtt attttccact tcaatttatc agaaataaaa tttattctgc tgaactaatt 4860 gtgtctattt tagcagactg ccatcctgtt agttacgagt tcagatgaag ccatatggct 4920 gtagaaaaca tgcttctggc agtgcttaat atgaactagg cttcattaca ttttcatgca 4980 tgcgcctata tcttttttcc ttagctaacc gttattggat tgatggattt taacctgtag 5040 atgacttatg ttctgattta agctcttatg tctgtttctt gcagggagaa aataagaatt 5100 atggtcttcc ggtgaagaag aaaactgata tctgcacgat aatgtatact agtggaacaa 5160 ctggtgatcc aaagggagta ttgatttcaa atgatagtat tgttactctt atagcagggg 5220 tgaaacgcct gctggggagt gtaaatgaac aggtgacctt ttcattttat ttttgaccat 5280 ttcaccagtc acttggtttg atctgtcgtt tcttttcttt cctccaccaa atttgacatg 5340 attgttccct tgttttccct ttctcatttg tttgtttctt gtgaaattta cagttgacta 5400 tgaaggatgt atatatttct tatcttcctc ttgctcatat ctttgaccgg gtgattgagg 5460 aattatttat ttcgcatggt gcttcaatag gattttggcg tggggtaagc atgattagtt 5520 agtactctga caacaaatac gggttcattc aaatcagcaa gtgcttattt gtttcatctt 5580 caggatgtga aactattggt cgaagatatt ggagagctaa agccaagtat cttctgtgct 5640 gttcctcgtg tcttagatag aatttattca ggtaaacttt cttatattcg tggattaggc 5700 aatgtcattt ttgggttgtt tgtggaggtt atactaagca acctggaaca tgtactagct 5760 ggaaaacttg tcttaattta cttattttta gtatttataa atgaaacaaa actagattga 5820 ttcacttttc tgttaaatac aatgaatata tactcagctt ttttcagaag atgcatgttc 5880 tcagctgtga gattgtcata acctttgtac attatcaggt ttactacaga agatttcttg 5940 cgggcggctt attgaaaaag aagatgtttg atttagcata cacatagtaa gttactctca 6000 tattttcagt ttcttatgtg aagctgttca ttttatctgc tggccgccca aaaatattga 6060 ttggaaatag agttaaattg ctctattagt tctgccactg cagactcacc ggagtaaagg 6120 aaaataaaag atatttgggc attctctaac aagcaacagg gtcaaaagca tatttttcct 6180 tgtagacaaa tatagaattt gttagagttg tgtgacccaa attctagtta aaaaaaagtg 6240 gcaagatagg gggatttgtg ggggcatcgg aggcccccac ggtacggtac agactgcaca 6300 agtggaattc gtataaaagt acacttcttc tatttgatat tgatttgaat aaggtgtttc 6360 aaccttattg cattgcttct attaggtttt gattagaata aggtttatag gtcgtcgtct 6420 ctctctgccc gtggttttgt gtgttatatt tttaccctct ttctttacga ttcattgtca 6480 ttatcgaggt ttgtttttca cagaattgtc tcaatccctt tgggtttatg agcttttgca 6540 ttagtagaga tccatttgca gtctgtgatt gcacttttcg tgaatatgtt taacagagtt 6600 actgaatcag gattacggtt tcttggcttt gattttacta atatctgaca tctgtgataa 6660 cctacagcaa atactacaac atgaagaagg gccgcaaaca tggagaagca tctccaattt 6720 gtgacaaaat tgtatttagt aaggtgatga aagtcttcat tgatacatta tatgcacgag 6780 gctccttgaa tattggccaa aagcccatta aatcacattt acctgcaaca taatcctctt 6840 gactactcaa atctcatgtt gagttgtaat ttttctcagg taaagcaagg attgggaggg 6900 aatgtgcggc ttattctatc tggtgcagca cctctttcag ctcatgtgga agagttcttg 6960 cgagttgtgg catgttgtca tgttctgcaa ggatatggta tagttgaagt cagcctttgt 7020 gcttgtgata agttcttttt ttccctttac cagctgtgca cactggctgc aacatgaaca 7080 tttattatta tgttgatcca aatgtaggtc tgacggagag ttgtgcgggg agttttgtct 7140 ctttacctaa tgaattgtca atgcttggta ctgtggggcc tcccagtacc aaacatagat 7200 gtacgcctgg aatctgttcc cgaaatgaat tatgatgccc ttgctagcac accacggggg 7260 gaaatttgta tcaaaggaaa tacattattc tcaggatact acaaacgtga agacctcacc 7320 cgtgaagtat tgattgatgg atggttccac acaggtcttc caacttttgt ttcttttaag 7380 gttctatgca ttattagttt ttatctataa gttgaagacc ttgaatcttt gtgcattagg 7440 ggatattgga gagtggcaac ctaatggaag catgaagatt attgatcgaa agaagaacat 7500 ttttaagctt tcacaaggtg aatatgttgc tgttgagaac ctggagaaca tttacggtct 7560 cgtgtcagct attgattcgg tacatctctt atgctctctt tgatacatta acatacactg 7620 cttctcggat atgtagccat gcactgaatg ttggtcaaac gtaaaattga ttttgaaatg 7680 attggcaaat taaacatttt ctttcttatg ttaccttatg attgcattcc ttttttagca 7740 ctaggtttca acccattgcc attgatggtt gcttgattga acaaaaataa acataataat 7800 cgaaatatgc atgtcatgtt acagtgtttt tatcgtatca gttgtgtaaa catgtgtcaa 7860 aatcctttaa cagaaatatg acaaatgtac taaatatgtt aaatcatgct taagcgcatc 7920 atatggtatc taaatttgtc atacatatat gtcatggaag tgatgtaaaa taaactatag 7980 tttatgtcag atttgtaatt tacttgctgg agattggcat tcttttaaac ttttcagttt 8040 catgtcttta tcaatttcag atatggattt acggaaacag ctttgagtcg ttccttgttg 8100 cggttgttaa ccccaataag gaagcacttg aaagctgggg tgccgacaat aacgtaagtg 8160 gtgacttcga gtccctctgt caaaacccca aggccaaaga gttcatactt ggggagctcg 8220 caaagactgg caaagagaaa aaggttagtt attcatgctt tttgccccct tttttatttt 8280 tcaaaattta tgaaatatgg gtttatcaat tcatactgaa atattataat ctttactcag 8340 ctaaaaggtt ttgaattctt tggatcc 8367 2 2454 DNA Arabidopsis sp. 2 gggaagctta tctacttgaa gttttggtag cccaatgaaa tactctcgta aatctagagt 60 tattagtgta aaccctaaag ggatcaaatt gtataaattt aaatccctta tgactttcaa 120 ttgtagatag actctaatct cgatcatgga tgtaactcaa tctatttgtt gggtttgggg 180 tgattacttc aattcattcc attcatagtt gtgaatatat ttgagagtat ttacgcaaac 240 atttggtgtg tgctattttt cctttggtct tttgttcttc gttgcccatt cgttcgagtt 300 tgctttcgct atattttaat gccttagaaa atttttgcga gaattctcat tttgtgagag 360 ttaagcgaac ttagaattat tttttttaaa atcgcttaag gctgtatggt ctgtgagact 420 aaaattctag tctcgtaaca ctaatacaat cacaagtaat ttacattgtt caagttctta 480 ttcacataag cggttggata aagaaaatta aaaaaaaaca atcggatata attacaaaaa 540 aataaattga aatgtgcaat aatacaaata ataattattg ctaaaggtaa ataaaaaatg 600 taaataatta tcaatgaagt ttgaaacctt aaatggtgaa gtttgtgtca actaatagaa 660 gaaaaaataa attatttata taactctact aatgtattat tttattttgt aaaattgatt 720 tatttatatt atttctacta aattgatgtg gaattagtga tatctactta attaactata 780 tataattata atgaatctcc gggactgtga ctggtcaaag atcataaagt ggtatccaat 840 aaatttaaaa tgcacttgta aaatattaga ctcatgatgg cactgaggcg gaggtgaaga 900 ggcggcaaag cacatggaga agctatatag aaaattcttt cacgaaaaag gcaactcttg 960 gcttgtgtgt tgggaattgt gttaagaact ggattatata aaaacaatta tatggggaaa 1020 ggaaatggtc cactgtcaat agtttactat aagcaagttg gagatataaa attaaatata 1080 tattcagtac atatacgagt ttgagcaaca aaattagaga tcttttttgt caagttgata 1140 tcttcaattt tataacgtaa atgttctttt gaaggcaaca gtaatgatat atatatatgt 1200 agaagaaatt taactaaaaa tagataatta ggcttaattt aattaattca agtgcaattg 1260 ttttatcata atatatatta cattacaagg cttgaattat tcatatttta aatttattta 1320 ttagttaaca aagtaattat tggtgcaaaa ataaataaat tattacccca ttatctattt 1380 tcttaaataa aaaaatatat tatatatgcc atttactctc tttaaaaaaa tttaatttac 1440 aaataaacta ataaatttgt atatgatgat ttcgaatgag ggttttaata cagttatcat 1500 gatgatttca atacaatggt tccaaatgaa taaggattcc actacaacat taaactcacc 1560 ataatggtga ttccaattga gtgttcctac ataattatca tcataattct tacttggcag 1620 gatacaaaaa ataataatgg gtaaggtaat taaaaattaa aataattatc aataaagttt 1680 ttattatggt gacaaagttt gataatcatt attaaattat taattgagta aaatatttaa 1740 atatagtaat gtatatataa tgaatctccg gcgatgttgg ctgttcaaag atcataaaat 1800 ccaatacatt taaaatgcag ctgtaaaata tgatgtgaag ggcggatacc acacatggag 1860 aagccatata gaaatttctt ccggtaccat gaaaaaggcg actcttagct tgtgtgttgg 1920 gaattgtgtt aagttatatg ggaaaggaaa tattccactg tcaatagttt attataagca 1980 agtgggagaa acaaaattaa atatgttatt ttgaaggcaa cagtaataat ataattataa 2040 attaaaataa cataatttag gcttaattta attaatggta aactataaaa aaaagtcatt 2100 tttgtttgct tcagattaca ttttagtcac ttatgtttga aatgttacgt tttagtcact 2160 tacattaccg ttttgttacg aagtggtcac tttaccatta aactctatta cctccctaac 2220 gacagtccta cgtggcagtc aaaatgaatt ttaaatgcta acttggacgt ccagttgctg 2280 ggacattttc cggttcacct acagccacct aatacttagg cgctatatat tttcccaaaa 2340 ttattctcca catttcactc ccagagccct ccatctatgt agagagctgt aagagagaat 2400 ataaaaaagg gaaagctagc tgaggatcgt ttgattttgg acattttggg atcc 2454 3 275 DNA Arabidopsis sp. 3 ggtcactgtg acgtgccgtg gctactgtga aacgagccgt ggctactgtg aacgtgccgt 60 ggctactgtg aacgagccgt ggctactgtg aacgtgccgt ggctactgtg aacgtgccgt 120 ggctactgtg aacgagccgt ggtcactgtg atacgtgccg ggagttttgt ctctttacct 180 aatgaattgt caatgcttgg tactgtgggg ccccatacca aacatagatg tacgcctgga 240 atctgttccg aaaaaaaaaa aactgaattc cgagt 275 

1. A promoter that is anther-specific comprising the promoter of the cotton CoFS gene.
 2. A promoter of claim 1 comprising SEQ ID NO:
 2. 3. A transgenic plant expressing a transgene under control of a promoter of claim
 1. 